ICS Celebrates Founding Members and Launches The Honorable Merl F. Code Early Educators Fellowship
ICS Senior Fellow Linda Brees, Founder and Board Member Emerita Ann Robinson, Board Secretary JoKeitha Seabrook, Founder and Board Member Emeritus Merl Code, Founder and Board Chair Emerita Susan Shi, Founder and Board Member Emeritus Dr. Bill Schmidt, and Founder and Board Member Emerita Tami McKnew.
On September 19, ICS hosted its biennial Founders Luncheon to share exciting updates, celebrate our distinguished founders, and honor the contributions of The Honorable Merl F. Code with the launch of The ICS Merl Code Early Educators Fellowship. Over 170 guests joined us in Greenville, SC to celebrate this event.
During the luncheon, Judge Code emphasized the critical role both his parents and his community had played during his earliest years and how that support impacted the trajectory of his life.
Four distinguished educators were recognized as the inaugural cohort of Fellows: Dr. Steph N. Dean, Candice George, Jacob L. Mathis, and CaNihja Simon. Each will begin a yearlong journey that will include the opportunity to receive mentorship, develop and communicate a research plan supporting young children, gain access to a Fellowship alumni network, and receive a monetary award. The one-year Fellowship begins in October and will focus on one of 3 tracks: equity, advocacy or practice. Learn more about each Code Fellow here.
We relished this opportunity to gather with our Founders, Board Members, partners, and supporters. Please see below for photographs from the event, and view the full collection of event photos here.
Photos from the ICS Founders Luncheon 2024
2024 ICS Merl Code Early Educator Fellows: Steph Dean, Candice George, Jacob Mathis, CaNihja Simon. Fellows are joined by Founder and Board Member Emeritus Merl Code, ICS Chief Equity Officer Mary Garvey, and CaNihja’s daughter Olivia Marshall.
Merl Code is joined by his fraternity brothers, members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Betty Farr, former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Dick Riley, and Minor Shaw.
ICS Founder and Board Member Emeritus Merl Code addresses the event attendees.
ICS Board Chair Calvin Calhoun III shares his vision for ICS in 2030.
ICS Chief Equity Officer Mary C. Garvey joins ICS Merl Code Early Educators Fellow CaNihja Simon and her daughter Olivia Marshall, as CaNihja receives her Fellowship Certificate of Acceptance.
Jacob Mathis receives his Fellowship Certificate of Acceptance.
Steph Dean receives her Fellowship Certificate of Acceptance.
Candice George receives her Fellowship Certificate of Acceptance.
Jamie Moon opens the event.
Jessica Sharp, ICS Board Secretary JoKeitha Seabrook, and ICS Chief Equity Officer Mary Garvey.
ICS President and CEO Jamie Moon with ICS Senior Fellow Linda Brees.
Mary Garvey discusses the launch of the ICS Merl Code Early Educators Fellowship.
ICS Founder and Board Chair Emerita Susan Shi honors Merl Code.
JoKeitha Seabrook honors the ICS Founding Board Members.
Linda Brees presents at the ICS Founders Luncheon.
Kerri Sease of Furman University, with Jamie Moon.
Henry Parr, Minor Shaw, Suzie Foley, and Derek Lewis.
Meghan Barp and Velda Hughes.
ICS Board Member Dr. Bob Saul with his wife Jan Saul.